CageFree

Geez. They don't come down to SoCal very often... when they do I go to San Diego, since that's Eddie's hometown and they play really long sets.

I rocked the flannel shirts, black chucks and permanent moping in the early 90's. I did, however, shower, in an utter betrayal of my generation.

And you're welcome for the Personal Computer that was used to create, and allows you to use, Facebook.

LOVE Led Zep. The Who... not so much.

Ten and Vs., although I LOVE Backspacer. I saw them in San Diego back in 2009 (gosh, was it that long ago?) when they were introducing the album. Amongst the Waves is my absolute favorite song* in that album, though my all-time favorite is, without a doubt, Black. How about you? *Edited to add

Of course it sucks. Not a big fan of any music in the 70s in general... I grew up listening to metal and grunge. Pearl Jam is, to this day, my favorite band ever.

Congratulations Montholon (and any others who got good news)! And condolences to those who've been getting bad news

I needed some light reading so I read "How to survive your STUPID, STUPID decision to go to grad school." Now I'm reading "He's just not that into you" for a book club.

No, that'd be the 70s. I was born during the DISCO era!

I know the feeling. I turned down a very generous offer from a place I would have loved to go to and where everyone was very nice to me, and I felt like I got kicked in the gut, even though I'm headed toward a great program, in a place I absolutely love and where my fiance can find work.

Here are the things to consider, IMO, once you get past the important stuff like research/POI fit, placement opportunities, and funding. Most of these can probably be answered during visits. 1. School culture. For example, if you're used to quarters, can you do semesters? Are you ok with being at a school where undergrads party, or do you want a quiet, nerdy place? How about sports? 2. Do you like the place? Beyond fit within the department, can you imagine yourself living there for the next 5-7 years? I didn't apply to UT-Austin because I have never wanted to visit, let alone live in, Texas (no offense to you Texans out there... but Texans generally don't like California either ). If you hate the cold, don't apply to Wisconsin or Minnesota. 3. Family/friends. Do you want to start anew, or remain closer to loved ones? Would you rather be in a place where flights in/out are cheaper, or a place that's relatively isolated? 4. Which place is more affordable? 20K in, say, Des Moines, is not the same as 20K in Los Angeles or New York. Get a feel for the campus atmosphere, the surrounding area, and think about the "intangibles." All things being equal, in the end, you need to go where you'll be happiest.

Don't read into that. I'm expecting a rejection from UC Riverside

Agreed. I'm turning 35 next week and I'll be starting this fall.

I'll be 35 when I start grad school this fall. Not sure if age worked against me, but I think that my work experience as a teacher was a plus.

I think it's just people not thinking. I feel better assuming they have good intentions and didn't mean to be insulting.

All of this. I was working on my materials for a month and a half after I turned in the first applications. I was going crazy by Dec. 1st... I'm a teacher, I coach an academic team and we were in the middle of competitions, and I was doing a lot of the planning for my June wedding. By mid-December things calmed down so I had the time to work on my writing sample and SOP. To be honest, I am not surprised Brown and Wisconsin (Dec. 1) rejected me because the work I turned into Pitt and Davis (Jan. 15) was FAR superior. I'm kind of embarrassed now by what Brown and Wisconsin saw. :/ I also think luck plays a part. Absolutely.

"Is your fiance (we're getting married in June - we will be married by then!) going up there with you?" "Is he ok with that?" (No, he's going to stay here with my dog while I go crash on someone's couch to survive on less than 20K a year.. and he hates the idea. We're already planning our divorce.) *rolls eyes*

Guys, I just declined my offer at Pittsburgh. I HATED having to write that email but I was happy to free up a spot. I hope someone here benefits from this.

Depends. If the funding offer includes TAing but it's guaranteed, take it. If the funding is not guaranteed, I'd wait, because if the school really, truly wanted you, it would guarantee funding.

I think it takes a while to update the website.

Ok. Thanks

What are the duties of a GSR at a UC (in the humanities/social sciences)? I can't seem to find an answer to that.

Oh yeah... I forgot: "Let me ask you some history questions, see how good you are." (Insert random questions about U.S. or European history and the wrong answers based on something they saw in the History Channel).

I think that diversity nowadays goes well beyond race. You may be able to get a fellowship based on some form of "diversity" or "affirmative action," based on the fact that you may not be able to afford to go otherwise... but as far as getting in, if you're not qualified, you won't make it and you'll end up hurting the program.

"Why would you pursue a degree in History? You can just get a pay raise with a Master's in Education, and it's a lot easier!" "My condolences." (This came from a colleague who does hold a Ph.D. in History from a great university, and he was sort-of-joking lol). "Ugh, I hate History." And this one, from one of my top students (going to a top 10 university in the fall): "I can't imagine you as a professor. You're too bubbly!" - LOL